Helmets & Catcher's Gear · The picks
Best youth batting helmets with a jaw guard
A jaw guard is the half-measure that works: it covers the cheek and jaw on the side facing the pitcher without the full cage a kid complains about. The thing to get right is certification. A helmet is certified as an assembly, so a guard bolted onto the wrong shell can void the mark the league requires.
By Mike M.Updated Sourced · gear tested by us: 0
#adReader-supported: we may earn a commission if you buy through our links, at no extra cost to you. It never decides a pick. How we pick · Disclosure
Quick picks
The rankings at a glance
| # | Product | Best for | Score | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Easton Z50 with Multi-Adjust Jaw Guard Listed at $69.99. The cheapest factory-assembled option, the guard mounts either side, and Small/Medium starts at 6 1/2 in so it fits an 8-year-old. | Best helmet with a jaw guard overallSmall/Medium 6 1/2–7 1/8, Medium/Large 7–7 5/8 | 9.2 /10 | Check price · Amazon |
| 2 | Easton Elite Max with Universal Jaw Guard Listed at $69.99 in the special edition. Same either-side Multi-Adjust guard on the better-padded Elite Max shell, but sizing starts a size larger. | Best step-up shellMedium/Large 6 5/8–7 1/4 in; Large/XL 7 1/8–7 3/4 in | 9.3 /10 | Check price · Amazon |
| 3 | Rawlings Mach Adjust (Junior & Senior) Listed at $84.99. The only guard here you can set: nine positions from low to high. Sold handed, so pick right or left. | Best adjustable guardJunior 6 3/8–7 1/8 in; Senior 6 7/8–7 5/8 in | 9.2 /10 | Check price · Amazon |
| 4 | Easton Pro Max with Jaw Guard Listed at $84.99. Easton's top shell with the Multi-Adjust guard fitted; the one a 13-year-old asks for because it is what he sees on TV. | Best premium optionMedium/Large 6 5/8–7 1/4, Large/XL 7 1/8–7 1/2 | 8.5 /10 | Check price · Amazon |
| 5 | Easton Multi-Adjust Jaw Guard The guard on its own. Only worth it if your shell is on Easton's compatibility list, because the certification follows the assembly. | Best add-on for a helmet you ownFits the listed Easton shells only | 8.1 /10 | Check price · Amazon |
#ad · Prices are set by Amazon and change often, so we don't print them. Scores are ours, built from the governing bodies' certification rules, the makers' sizing charts and published specs, not our own testing. Photos are illustrative stock. Tap a row for the full write-up.
Why a jaw guard rather than a face guard
A jaw guard is a single moulded or wire piece that covers the cheek and jaw on one side of the face. A face guard is a full wire cage across the whole face. Both bolt to the helmet; they solve different problems and they annoy kids to different degrees.
| Jaw guard | Face guard | |
|---|---|---|
| Covers | Cheek and jaw, one side | The whole face, both sides |
| View of the pitch | Almost unchanged | Bars in the sight line |
| Switch hitter | Needs the guard moved, or an either-side model | No issue |
| Typical buyer | 9 and up, kid who refuses a cage | First kid-pitch season, or a league that requires it |
The honest summary: a face guard protects more, and a jaw guard gets worn. If your kid has already taken the cage off his helmet in the dugout, the jaw guard is the compromise that actually stays on. The full trade-off is on face guard vs jaw guard, and the caged helmets are ranked on best youth helmets with a face guard.
The certification trap
This is the part that matters and the part nobody tells you at the till. A batting helmet is certified to the NOCSAE standard as an assembly. Add a part and you have changed the assembly.
So the rule is simple. Buy the helmet and guard together as one part number, or check the maker's compatibility list before you buy a guard for a shell you already own. A guard on the wrong shell is worse than no guard, because it looks like protection and can cost an umpire's approval.
One more thing to check on arrival: the date. Easton prints a certified life of five years from the date of manufacture on its helmets, stamped inside the shell. A hand-me-down helmet with a guard may be outside that window.
Which side, and what about switch hitters
The guard goes on the side facing the pitcher, which means the left side for a right-handed batter and the right side for a left-handed batter. Get this wrong and you have bought a chin rest.
For a switch hitter there are two answers. Easton's Multi-Adjust guard “can be mounted on either side,” so the Z50, Elite Max and Pro Max assemblies can be swapped over with a screwdriver between innings, which is not practical mid-game but is fine between seasons. The Rawlings Mach Adjust is sold as a right-handed or a left-handed helmet, so a genuine switch hitter is buying the wrong tool there.
If your kid switch hits every game, a face guard is the more honest purchase: it covers both sides and never needs moving.
Sizing, because the guard does not change it
A jaw guard adds no size to the shell, so the fit rules are the ones on the batting helmet size chart: measure around the head an inch above the eyebrows, match the circumference to the maker's published hat-size range, and check that the helmet does not rock forward when the kid leans down for a bat.
| Helmet | Smallest published size | Guard | Listed price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rawlings Mach Adjust | Junior, 6 3/8–7 1/8 in | Adjustable EXT flap, 9 settings, handed | $84.99 |
| Easton Z50 + Multi-Adjust | Small/Medium, 6 1/2–7 1/8 in | Either side | $69.99 |
| Easton Elite Max + Universal | Medium/Large, 6 5/8–7 1/4 in | Either side | $69.99 |
| Easton Pro Max + Multi-Adjust | See maker's shell sizing | Either side | $84.99 |
Two helmets that would otherwise be here are not. The Easton Z5 2.0 with the Universal Jaw Guard showed out of stock on easton.rawlings.com on 28 September 2026, and the All-Star S7 youth helmet with the attached Jawline was backordered on All-Star's own site at $49.99. Both are good; neither is buyable today.
In detail
The picks, in full
Rank 1
Stock photoBest helmet with a jaw guard overall
Easton Z50 with Multi-Adjust Jaw Guard
Listed at $69.99. The cheapest factory-assembled option, the guard mounts either side, and Small/Medium starts at 6 1/2 in so it fits an 8-year-old.
Spec sheetSourced · not tested by us
| Category | Batting helmet |
|---|---|
| Fits | Small/Medium 6 1/2–7 1/8, Medium/Large 7–7 5/8 |
| Certification (quoted) | SEI certified: meets NOCSAE standard for all levels of play (maker) |
| Certification | SEI Certification: Meets NOCSAE Standard For All Levels Of Play (maker spec) |
| Construction | Exovent slats; zonal foam; BioDri liner; diagonal halo padding |
| Sizes | Medium/Large 7–7 5/8; Small/Medium 6 1/2–7 1/8 (Z50 size spec) |
| Included | Pre-assembled Multi-Adjust jaw guard, mountable on either side (maker spec) |
How the 9.2 score breaks down
- Certification (NOCSAE / SEI) (35%)
- 10
- Fit range for the age (25%)
- 9
- Ventilation and comfort (15%)
- 8
- Face-guard compatibility (10%)
- 10
- Value (15%)
- 8
What the spec sheet supports
- Jaw guard covers the exposed side of the face without a full cage
- Either-side mounting
- Certified as an assembly
Where it falls short
- A jaw guard protects one side; a switch hitter has to move it
- Slightly heavier than the bare helmet
Skip this if…
…the kid wants full-face coverage; a wire face guard covers both sides.
#ad · Price set by Amazon · Disclosure for the link to Easton Z50 with Multi-Adjust Jaw Guard
Rank 2
Stock photoBest step-up shell
Easton Elite Max with Universal Jaw Guard
Listed at $69.99 in the special edition. Same either-side Multi-Adjust guard on the better-padded Elite Max shell, but sizing starts a size larger.
Spec sheetSourced · not tested by us
| Category | Batting helmet |
|---|---|
| Fits | Medium/Large 6 5/8–7 1/4 in; Large/XL 7 1/8–7 3/4 in |
| Certification (quoted) | Meets NOCSAE standard for all levels of play (maker) |
| Certification | 'Meets NOCSAE Standard For All Levels Of Play' (maker spec) |
| Construction | High-impact-resistant ABS shell; Exovent slatted openings; viscoelastic foam in varying densities; Halo fit design (maker) |
| Sizes | Medium/Large 6 5/8–7 1/4 in; Large/Extra Large 7 1/8–7 3/4 in (maker spec) |
| Included | 'Pre-Assembled Multi-Adjust Jaw Guard' that 'Can Be Mounted On Either Side' (maker spec) |
How the 9.3 score breaks down
- Certification (NOCSAE / SEI) (35%)
- 10
- Fit range for the age (25%)
- 9
- Ventilation and comfort (15%)
- 9
- Face-guard compatibility (10%)
- 10
- Value (15%)
- 8
What the spec sheet supports
- Either-side mounting, so a switch hitter is not buying two helmets
- Certified as an assembly by the maker, not as a helmet plus an aftermarket part
Where it falls short
- Medium/Large starts at 6 5/8 in, so it does not fit a tee baller
- Costs more than the bare Elite Max
Skip this if…
…the kid is under 8; the Z50 with the Multi-Adjust guard starts a size smaller.
#ad · Price set by Amazon · Disclosure for the link to Easton Elite Max with Universal Jaw Guard
Rank 3
Stock photoBest adjustable guard
Rawlings Mach Adjust (Junior & Senior)
Listed at $84.99. The only guard here you can set: nine positions from low to high. Sold handed, so pick right or left.
Spec sheetSourced · not tested by us
| Category | Batting helmet |
|---|---|
| Fits | Junior 6 3/8–7 1/8 in; Senior 6 7/8–7 5/8 in |
| Certification (quoted) | NOCSAE mark: check inside the shell (this listing does not state it; Rawlings states NOCSAE certification on its RX2 listing) |
| Construction | Moisture-wicking liner; wrapped jaw pads (maker) |
| Sizes | Junior 6 3/8–7 1/8 in; Senior 6 7/8–7 5/8 in (maker) |
| Cushioning | iMpax foam padding that 'absorbs and disperses force, and withstands multiple impacts' (maker) |
| Included | 'Pre-Attached Adjustable EXT flap' with '9 different settings from low to high'; 2-piece adapter and flap combination (maker) |
How the 9.2 score breaks down
- Certification (NOCSAE / SEI) (35%)
- 9
- Fit range for the age (25%)
- 10
- Ventilation and comfort (15%)
- 9
- Face-guard compatibility (10%)
- 10
- Value (15%)
- 8
What the spec sheet supports
- Nine flap positions: the guard can be set where the kid actually needs it
- Junior size starts at 6 3/8 in, the smallest jaw-guard helmet here
Where it falls short
- Sold handed, so a switch hitter needs the flap moved or a different helmet
- The listing does not print the NOCSAE statement; check the mark inside the shell
Skip this if…
…the kid switch hits; buy the Easton with either-side mounting.
#ad · Price set by Amazon · Disclosure for the link to Rawlings Mach Adjust (Junior & Senior)
Rank 4
Stock photoBest premium option
Easton Pro Max with Jaw Guard
Listed at $84.99. Easton's top shell with the Multi-Adjust guard fitted; the one a 13-year-old asks for because it is what he sees on TV.
Spec sheetSourced · not tested by us
| Category | Batting helmet |
|---|---|
| Fits | Medium/Large 6 5/8–7 1/4, Large/XL 7 1/8–7 1/2 |
| Certification (quoted) | Meets NOCSAE standard for all levels of play (maker) |
| Certification | SEI Certification: Meets NOCSAE Standard For All Levels Of Play (maker spec) |
| Construction | Shell thickness varied by computer-simulated impact; multi-density foam; game-ready 'Halo' fit |
| Sizes | Large/Extra Large 7 1/8–7 1/2; Medium/Large 6 5/8–7 1/4 (maker spec) |
| Included | Pre-assembled Multi-Adjust jaw guard, mountable on either side |
How the 8.5 score breaks down
- Certification (NOCSAE / SEI) (35%)
- 10
- Fit range for the age (25%)
- 7
- Ventilation and comfort (15%)
- 10
- Face-guard compatibility (10%)
- 10
- Value (15%)
- 5
What the spec sheet supports
- Top-of-line padding and shell
- Either-side jaw guard included
Where it falls short
- Smallest size starts at 6 5/8
- Premium price
Skip this if…
…the kid is under 10.
#ad · Price set by Amazon · Disclosure for the link to Easton Pro Max with Jaw Guard
Rank 5
Stock photoBest add-on for a helmet you own
Easton Multi-Adjust Jaw Guard
The guard on its own. Only worth it if your shell is on Easton's compatibility list, because the certification follows the assembly.
Spec sheetSourced · not tested by us
| Category | Batting helmet |
|---|---|
| Fits | Fits the listed Easton shells only |
| Certification (quoted) | Certified as a full helmet model only when mounted on the listed Easton helmets (maker) |
| Certification | Certified as a full helmet model, only when mounted on Pro X, Elite X, Z5 2.0, Z5, Gametime and Alpha helmets (maker spec) |
How the 8.1 score breaks down
- Certification (NOCSAE / SEI) (35%)
- 9
- Fit range for the age (25%)
- 7
- Ventilation and comfort (15%)
- 7
- Face-guard compatibility (10%)
- 9
- Value (15%)
- 8
What the spec sheet supports
- Adjustable position
- Matches the Z50/Pro Max mounts
Where it falls short
- Same shell-compatibility caveat as the Universal guard
Skip this if…
…you have a Rawlings helmet; Rawlings sells its own RX2/Mach guards.
#ad · Price set by Amazon · Disclosure for the link to Easton Multi-Adjust Jaw Guard
Before you buy
- Buy the assembly, not the parts. A factory-fitted helmet and guard costs about the same as buying them separately and keeps the certification intact.
- Confirm the batting side. Guard on the pitcher-facing side: left for a right-handed hitter, right for a left-handed one.
- Check the league's wording. Some leagues that require “face protection” mean a full cage, not a jaw guard. Ask before you spend.
- Look for the mark inside the shell. Especially on listings that do not print a certification line, like the Rawlings Mach Adjust page.
- A guard is not a cure for a bad fit. A loose helmet with a guard on it is still a loose helmet.
How we picked these
Gear we claim to have tested: 0
Plenty of sites say they swung every bat on the list in a lab. We don't say that, and we say so on every page. What we do instead: check each bat against the governing bodies' certification rules and the maker's stated stamp; compile sizing from the makers' own age, height and hand charts; read the published specs (drop, barrel, construction, closure, cleat type); and read the complaint patterns in retailer reviews for the “skip it if” line. Every figure links to where it came from.
Scores are editorial judgments from that documented research, not test results. Commissions never set a score or decide a pick. The rubric and its weights are published.
Corrections & updates
- Page published. Prices, sizes, certification wording and stock read from easton.rawlings.com, rawlings.com and all-starsports.com on this date; the Z5 2.0 with Universal Jaw Guard and the All-Star S7 Jawline were excluded as out of stock or backordered.
Questions parents ask
Frequently asked
What is the best youth batting helmet with a jaw guard?
Can you add a jaw guard to a helmet you already own?
Which side does a jaw guard go on?
Is a jaw guard as safe as a face guard?
Do youth leagues require a jaw guard?
Keep reading
Related on Bat & Bucket
Receipts
Sources
- Easton: baseball helmet listing with prices and stock status (read 2026-09-26)
- Rawlings: baseball helmet listing with prices and stock status (read 2026-09-26)
- Easton: Z50 batting helmet with Multi-Adjust jaw guard
- Easton: Elite Max batting helmet with Universal Jaw Guard (read 2026-09-28)
- Rawlings: Mach Adjust batting helmet with pre-attached adjustable EXT flap (read 2026-09-28)
- Easton: Pro Max helmet with jaw guard
- Easton: Multi-Adjust jaw guard
- Easton: Universal jaw guard
- All-Star: S7 youth batting helmet with attached Jawline
- Easton: Z5 2.0 Matte Solid batting helmet (NOCSAE ND022, size ranges) (read 2026-09-26)
We don't claim to have swung, worn or tested this gear, and we don't pretend to. Gear we claim to have tested: 0. Certification rules come from the governing bodies' own pages (Little League, USA Baseball, USSSA, NOCSAE), sizes from the makers' sizing charts, and specs from the maker's product page or the retailer listing named on each product. Amazon prices change often, so we don't print them. Where a figure isn't published, we say so. Read the full method.